Hantavirus‑Hit Cruise Ship to Dock in Rotterdam as Remaining Crew Face Weeks of Quarantine

The MV Hondius, the cruise ship at the centre of a global health scare after a deadly outbreak of hantavirus, will end its voyage in Rotterdam on Monday, where its remaining skeleton crew will begin weeks of quarantine. Key terms such as hantavirus outbreak and MV Hondius incident may be useful for deeper follow‑up.

Dutch officials say the ship is expected to dock between 10am and midday, with 27 people still on board 25 crew members and two medical staff. All are currently asymptomatic but will undergo strict monitoring and isolation.

The Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, drew international attention after three passengers died from hantavirus, a rare rodent‑borne disease with no vaccine or specific treatment. Six cases have been confirmed, with one additional probable case. Another passenger in Canada has provisionally tested positive but remains symptom‑free.

The World Health Organization has stressed that the situation does not resemble the early days of Covid. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there was “no sign” of a wider outbreak, though the virus’s long incubation period means more cases could still emerge.

More than 120 passengers and crew were evacuated earlier this month after the ship reached the Canary Islands. Those evacuated to the Netherlands which bears responsibility as the ship’s flag state have mostly tested negative. Some remain in quarantine, while others have returned home.

A 65‑year‑old French woman became critically ill during her repatriation flight. A Dutch and a British passenger were urgently flown to the Netherlands; both are now stable, with the Briton cleared to return home for self‑isolation.

The body of a German woman who died during the voyage also remains on board.

Quarantine and Cleaning Measures
Those disembarking Monday include:

17 from the Philippines

4 from the Netherlands (including the two medics)

4 from Ukraine

1 from Russia

1 from Poland

Some will quarantine at the port, while others will isolate at home. The ship will undergo extensive cleaning and disinfection immediately after docking.

A Voyage Marked by Diplomatic Tension
The Hondius began its journey on April 1 in Ushuaia, Argentina, travelling through remote South Atlantic islands before heading north. The trip was meant to end in Cape Verde, but the country refused to accept the vessel after the outbreak. Spain later allowed the ship to anchor off the Canary Islands for evacuations, despite strong opposition from regional authorities.

The virus involved is the Andes strain, the only hantavirus known to spread between humans. It is endemic in Argentina, where the voyage began.

The WHO continues to assess the overall risk as low, noting that containment measures and disembarkation should reduce the chance of onward transmission.